HUNDREDS of flag-waving supporters lined Esher High Street on Friday to pay tribute to troops recently returned from Afghanistan.

The soldiers from 22 (Gibraltar 1779-83) Battery, 32 Regiment Royal Artillery, accompanied by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Royal Artillery Band, marched from the town's police station to Sandown Park Racecourse.

Among the crowd were local MP Ian Taylor, Mayor of Elmbridge James Vickers and Lord Lieutenant of Surrey Sarah Goad.

The parade was part of the build up to the Royal Artillery Gold Cup horse race at Sandown Park.

Among those taking part in the procession was staff sergeant Billy Graham, who returned home from Afghanistan in November.

He said he was pleased with the support shown by the public.

He added: “We have a long association with the Gold Cup and we thought that it would be pertinent to parade the Battery after the Afghanistan tour along through Esher.”

Esher councillor David Archer, who was among the civic dignitaries who received the salute from the troops, suggested that the parade could become an annual event.

He said: “The young men who are prepared to lay their lives down for us deserve the maximum amount of people turning out to pay their respects.”

“Just as November 11 is Remembrance Day it should be done on a regular basis.”